Philippe Clement understandably had mixed views on Rangers’ Scottish Premiership opener at Hearts on Saturday lunchtime.
Mixed views are, in truth, the order of the day.
A fanbase – and a manager – frustrated that Rangers could not kick start the new campaign with three early points. But a fanbase – and a manager – who may also be a little relieved to come away from Tynecastle unbeaten.
As Cyriel Dessers missed a trio of chances at one end, the Ibrox-linked Lawrence Shankland stung the palms of an excellent Jack Butland on a number of occasions.
And while disappointment pervades right now, in time this could come to look like a pretty impressive, and valuable, point on the road against a Heart of Midlothian side who look well placed for a fine campaign under former Ger Steven Naismith.
Philippe Clement hails Rangers duo after Hearts draw
A couple of new faces made a positive first impression, too.
While there was no place in the squad for Clinton Nsiala, Robin Propper or Hamza Igamane – Jefte Vital did not get off the bench also – Connor Barron and Vaclav Cerny provided a few glimpses of the qualities they will bring to Rangers this term.
Barron was arguably the stand-out performer until Kieran Dowell took his place on 83 minutes. The former Aberdeen starlet feels that he is the ideal fit for a new-look midfield, and he did little to dispel such a notion with a trademark performance of purpose and poise.
And while Clement feels that Barron is capable of better, this was a good first impression on his competitive debut.
“Connor played a a good game but not at the level that he played in the pre-season,” Clement tells the official Rangers YouTube channel. “But it’s also his first competitive game for Rangers.
“He will be a big asset for the future. The short short-term future but also for sure the long-term future.”
There was also a first appearance for Vaclav Cerny, a ‘special’ talent who contributed 28 goals or assists during his final Eredivisie campaign at FC Twente in 2022/23.
Clement has spoken openly about the desire to add more experience to his ranks. 26-year-old Cerny – alongside former Twente team-mate Propper – brings exactly that.
“(With Vaclav) you saw directly when he came on, his qualities; to be calm on the ball to make the right decisions. He’s an experienced player and with with a lot of quality,” Clement says of the Czech Republic international, who played the final half four in Edinburgh.
“So we need to get a few more of those types in and that will help also our young players to grow.”
Oscar Cortes suffers another injury
The Rangers boss was not quite so positive, however, about the latest injury suffered by Oscar Cortes.
Back in Scotland with an obligation-to-buy clause in his contract this time around, the RC Lens-owned winger missed the final few months of last season.
And Clement is praying that Cortes can avoid a similarly lengthy spell on the sidelines after limping off with a knee issue just after half-time against an impressive Hearts side.
“We don’t know yet,” Clement said when asked to give an update on Cortes’ fitness. “He he made a bad fall on his knee. He said at half-time it was okay. But with the first sprint he felt too much pain again.
“So it’s a pity.”
